11-year-old Sergio’s dream is to be a firefighter. “Since he was little he has always been fascinated by them, at home he has toy trucks of all sizes,” explains his mother, Vanesa, 42, to 20 minutes. They both live on a fifth floor on Albufera Avenue in Alfafar, one of the towns most punished by DANA on October 29. The floods that devastated their street caused the family to lose their two cars, but they consider themselves lucky not to have had to suffer further major damage. “Given the circumstances, we are one of the few who have been lucky,” says Vanesa.
Like the rest of their neighbors, the storm left them without light, water or electricity, and as the days passed, his balcony became his main distraction. “It was our improvised television,” says the woman. “We went out from time to time to take a look, to see how the military, the police were passing by… and also how the firefighters were working tirelessly in the garages.” Sergio soon noticed one of the teams that came from Fuenlabrada, and began to think about how he could have a detail with them. “I wanted to thank them for their work. We saw that some people gave them coffee or water, but we thought of bringing them something different, something sweeter and that would warm them, because they spent the day soaked inside the garages,” adds their mother. And the idea of hot chocolate came up.
The family prepared the chocolate, “as best they could”, in the microwave, and gathered some pieces of pastries to take to the firefighters. Already on the street, they first met Víctor, chief of the Fuenlabrada fire department, to whom the boy approached offering him a cup. A gesture that both he and the rest of the team received with enthusiasm: “It was something very well received by the entire staff. We had been working for about 14 hours and something hot is always appreciated”Víctor explains to this medium. “Also, I have a son his age and he reminded me a lot of him, he was very polite.”
The mother and child then went to look for the rest of the team, which was spread across other streets in the area. Everyone joined together to drink hot chocolate and chat with Sergio, who He couldn’t hide his excitement at seeing his heroes so close.. “It was a boost for him. He was radiant, and the firefighters seemed sincerely moved by the gesture,” recalls the little boy’s mother. “It was our way of contributing to them, we appreciate all the effort they were making for us.”
Víctor and his team arrived in Valencia on November 2 to collaborate on the bailing and cleaning work of the towns devastated by DANA. Upon arrival, they were assigned to the Alfafar-Massanassa area, where they worked mainly on emptying water and mud from private garages where it was expected “that there could be deceased people.”
“Fortunately, we didn’t find anyone, but even so the work was hard. And after so many hours, being in such a complicated environment, receiving a detail like that was a respite,” the firefighter recalls excitedly, who also highlights the naturalness of the child to approach the team and thank them for their work. “It is a gesture that I will not forget”he assures. And to immortalize the moment, they decided to take a photo all together.
They found them thanks to social networks
The following days, the firefighters from Fuenlabrada had to travel to work in other areas, so they did not hear from Sergio and Vanesa again. Once back in Madrid, on November 8, Víctor decided that they wanted to do something for the boy: give him an authentic firefighter’s helmet and some t-shirts from his park. Therefore, posted a message on the social network ‘X’ asking for help in locating the family and contacting them, as they had not exchanged phone numbers.
“Twitter (now . Both maintain contact, and ensure that They have planned a reunion at the Fuenlabrada fire station, possibly on the Constitution Bridge in December, so that Víctor can give Sergio the gifts in person and can show him the facilities where he works.
“Throughout this difficult experience, we have seen the most human and generous side of people,” Vanesa reflects. He comments that in Alfafar they have emerged several stories similar to yoursfrom families and volunteers who have strengthened ties in the midst of the catastrophe. “Sometimes unexpected friendships arise, and I am very grateful to Víctor and his team for their humanity and commitment. These stories also make those who come to help more human, they are not only firefighters, police or soldiers: they are people like us,” he expresses. .
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